Improvement in step-ladders



0, M. SWEET.

Step-Ladders- Patented Deo. 3,1874'.

TTUBNEYS.

UNITEIJ STATES PATENT OFFICE.

rORANGrE M. SWEET, OF FORESTVILLE, NEW YORK.

AIMPROVEMENT IN STEP-LAiDDERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 157.556, dated December 8, 1874; application filed october 10, 1874.

10 all `whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ORANGE M. SWEET, of Forestville, in the county of Chautauqua a-nd State of New York, have invented a new and Improved Step-Ladder, of which the following is a specification:

In the accompanying drawing, Figure l represents a front view, Fig. 2 a side view, and Fig. 3 is a horizontal section on the line c c, Fig. 2, of my improved step-ladder.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

The object of my invention is to produce a step-ladder which combines lightness and strength to a considerable degree with ready adjustability and cheapness, so that a superior article for general use is produced.

In my ladder the standard is adjusted to the main body of the ladder by a hinged brace, which slides by a pivoted sleeve with fastening clamp-screw along a guide-rod conneeting two middle steps.

In the drawing, A represents the main body of my improved step-ladder, which is -constructed of the steps B and of curved supporting pieces or rods O, attached separately to the outer ends of the steps. The steps B are recessed between the stift'euingpieces G in such a manner. that the recesses of the middle steps are longest, while those ofthe upper and lower steps are gradually decreasing in size, so that a curved brace-rod, l), may be sprung at each side into the steps, and produce, by its inwardly-bending curve, a rigid side support to the steps. The ends oi brace-rods D are bolted or otherwise firmly applied to the upper and lower ends of the outer pieces C, forming in connection therewith a strong yet light brace-support for the steps, strengthening and stiii'ening the same to resist the direct and lateral strainthereon.

The upper ends of the step-supporting rods G and D are furthermore bound together by side brackets E, to which the top step B is attached. A lateral rod, a, passes through brackets E and the rear side pieces C, and

connects, by outwardlyprojeeting ends, with the standard F ot' the step-ladder, which swings thereon as required. Standard'F consists merely oi two upright side pieces and two lateral pieces, to the lower and stronger of which the brace G is hinged, which connects, by a slide-piece or sleeve, b, hinged to its upper end, with a central rod, d, that is rigidly attached in longitudinal direction to two of the middle steps B. The hinged sleeve b adjusts itself readily on the brace for sliding on rod d as the standard is carried to or from the body of the step-ladder, and is firmly fastened in the required position for holding the standard by a fastening set-screw, b. Theguide-rod may also connect three steps for a wider spreadof standard, in which ease the intermediate step has to be recessed for the passage of the sliding sleeve. The brace-connection of standard and main body is thereby simplified and lightened without being decreased in strength.

Having thus described myinvention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, isy The combination of supporting-standard F, hinged brace G, having pivoted sliding sleeve b, and set-screws b', with the central step-connecting guide-rod d, substantially as and for the purpose described.

CHARLES SMITH, NORTON MULKIN. 

